A beautiful outdoor oasis doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Consider these tips to create a cost-conscious outdoor space:

1. Start with a plan and design.

My wife and I always make a list before we head to the grocery store. It keeps us from buying the Cheetos and ice cream just because they look tasty. Your landscape design plan serves the same purpose for your outdoor project. By starting with a design (and sticking to it), you’ll be better able to prevent overspending.

2. Choose materials (and projects) with budget in mind.

If you want a stone patio, consider a hardwood deck or concrete instead. Think about using a crushed gravel walkway instead of pavers or flagstone. And rather than warming up to a stone fireplace, consider a fire pit instead. All of these secondary options will save you cash. You can also save money by choosing the right plants. Although a Japanese Maple is a beautiful tree (and a favorite of mine), a Forest Pansy Redbud can offer the same beauty at a much lower price.

3. Start with smaller sizes of fast-growing plants.

When you (or your landscape designer) know which plants can give you the most bang for your buck, you’ll end up with a beautiful green space (and have some green left if your wallet!). Consider using a fast-growing Maple tree instead of an Oak tree. For smaller ornamental trees, try planting a Cherry variety rather than a Japanese Maple. If you’re looking for a great evergreen shrub to screen an area near your house, you’ll get more coverage for less money with a Holly rather than a slower-growing Boxwood.

4. Plan to do the installation yourself rather than hiring a professional (but be careful!).

Plan to do the installation yourself rather than hiring a professional (but be careful!). I make this recommendation under one condition — you have to know your limits. Talk with a professional about what you can and can’t do yourself. My general rule of thumb is to stick with a professional on retaining walls, paver patios and irrigation. For things such as demolition, planting projects and mulching, you’re probably safe to tackle those on your own.

5. Do the project in phases.

If you can’t compromise your vision for the sake of your budget, consider building the project in phases so you can bite off just a piece of the price tag at one time. When doing a phased landscape project, it’s important to start with a design of the entire space, even though you won’t have it built all at once. This will help ensure that you get the finished product you want without it looking piecemeal.

What money-saving strategies have worked for you? Share them with us in the comments below.